WELCOME
A message from our CEO
We’re kicking off 2018 with our biggest edition
of Covered yet - which means we have a lot to
update you on.
The two most important challenges we’re facing as an
industry are titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and Brexit. By now,
you’ll know that ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee
has issued their opinion to classify TiO 2 as a category 2
carcinogen. The BCF are leading the cross industry defence
against the opinion, and have made significant progress
with government on the matter. See page 4 which details
key recent developments and page 5 which outlines some
critical research findings from a Kingfisher study, which
demonstrates the potential impact of the new CLP labels
we would have to put on paint if we don’t find a solution.
The end of 2017 brought some interesting developments
with Brexit. The much anticipated ‘deal’ was delivered
by the UK government, amidst much speculation that it
wouldn’t happen. Our lead on Brexit at the BCF is our
Head of Public Affairs & Policy Ellen Daniels, who met
recently with a key government minister to discuss REACH
post-Brexit. See pages 6 and 7 for the full story.
Whilst on the topic of Brexit, we are holding a seminar
in partnership with the British Adhesives and Sealants
Association which will explore the post-Brexit future of
the coatings, adhesives and sealants industries. The seminar
features a high profile range of speakers from the UK
and EU, looking at what Brexit will mean for regulations
and standards, the perspective from outside the UK, and
the latest insights from government and industry. The full
programme has now been published - find it on page 9.
On pages 10 and 11 we have a special feature on the
power of print, with an infographic provided by our friends
at Two Sides as well as a summary of findings from their
survey which demonstrates the impact of print advertising
in a digital world. On page 16 we’ve put together a piece
on the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, which
looks to dispel four common myths about the regulation.
take a look at the BCF
roadmap for 2018-
2023 which summarises
our strategy for the
Federation for the next
few years. One of the
new programmes in
the strategy is PaintSafe
which aims to promote the safe use of decorative and
industrial paints to professional users. The decorative side
of PaintSafe was launched at the Painting & Decorating
show in November - read about it on page 19.
Whilst we are excited about the move to Coventry, it also
means that unfortunately we’re losing four key members
of staff. We say farewell to Jackie, Karen, Tina and Ulla who
I would personally like to thank for all their hard work over
the years. Read about them on page 32.
I’m really looking forward to seeing members at our
Annual Conference & Gala Dinner which is set to take
place on 3 May in Oxfordshire. The programme this year
covers a vast range of topics including cyber security,
apprenticeships and training, sustainability and of course
Brexit. Find out more on page 17.
We ended 2017 on a high winning the BSI’s Award for
Industry Leadership. This award is extra special to us as
a Federation, as it recognises the work our members do
to contribute to the development of standards. Details of
that is on page 20. Finally, it was great to see so many of
you at the BCF’s 2017 Awards. In this issue of Covered we
wanted to showcase your accomplishments, so starting on
page 21 find a write up summarising each of the winners.
Save the date for the 2018 BCF Awards, which take place
on 15 November at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.
Another significant issue for members at the moment is
the rising costs of raw materials, which we’ve summarised
in an infographic on page 13.
Pages 14 and 15 detail some developments here at the
BCF, the first of which being our decision to relocate our
headquarters to be closer to the heart of our members
in the UK’s recently announced City of Culture 2021,
Coventry - did they hear we were coming?! Then we
Covered Spring 2018
Tom Bowtell
Chief Executive, BCF
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